Tamper for Classic

the beer revolu

I want to get a decent tamper for my Gaggia Classic.
Anyone know offhand what the correct size is for the classic?

Also why do they ship the unit with a tamper that's considerably smaller than the basket?

Ta

RE*AC*TOR

Classic is standard 58mm, although with nearly every filter basket that's rated at 58mm it will usually be slightly bigger, so you will probably still find there is a very small amount of room at the sides.

If you want a 100% perfect fit, do like Mr Magnolia and either measure your basket with a calipers or send it to Reg Barber to get a custom one.

As for the cheap plastic tamper, it's the standard piece of shít that nearly every espresso machine comes with. One of the excuses given for it is that a tamper is a very personal thing and people would only end up buying one to suit themselves anyway. Probably a load of bollocks, but there you go.

Mr Magnolia

the beer revolu wrote: »

I want to get a decent tamper for my Gaggia Classic.
Anyone know offhand what the correct size is for the classic?

I recently bought a 58.3mm Reg Barber for a bottomless portafilter for my classic, based on how it looks in the gaggia portafilter I'd recommend a 59mm. Note that portafilters can vary in size though, have you access to a vernier calipers to check yours to be sure? Scott at happydonkey.co.uk may be worth a call, he'll change it for you if it doesn't fit properly.

Also why do they ship the unit with a tamper that's considerably smaller than the basket?

Ta

God knows, why do they include a crap plastic one in the first place, why do they set the OPV valve to ~15barg, why do they attach that crap paranello*








*the answer to this is probably cost saving.

the beer revolu

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

God knows, why do they include a crap plastic one in the first place, why do they set the OPV valve to ~15barg, why do they attach that crap paranello

Thanks guys

Funny, I'm in the middle of doing the OPV mod right now!!

the beer revolu

Did the OPV mod.

Wow much thicker coffee.
The little bit of coffee I had ground is a little too fine now but even so, there's a marked improvement in the coffee:)

Mr Magnolia

RE*AC*TOR wrote: »

As for the cheap plastic tamper, it's the standard piece of shít that nearly every espresso machine comes with. One of the excuses given for it is that a tamper is a very personal thing and people would only end up buying one to suit themselves anyway. Probably a load of bollocks, but there you go.

LOL @ that excuse. Some chancers. Still, if they were to include a decent tamper the price for the unit would just go up so there is some reasoning there. See we're still double posting too :-D

the beer revolu wrote: »

Did the OPV mod.

Wow much thicker coffee.
The little bit of coffee I had ground is a little too fine now but even so, there's a marked improvement in the coffee:)

Fair play on the mod, some rapid progress there. Great results to be had after adjusting the OPV so enjoy.

stimpson

I picked up one of these dealies when I was in Seattle over the summer. Perfect fit for my gaggia basket.

http://stores.emeraldcityespressomachines.com/Detail.bok?no=19